Guide
5 Ways To Maximize Bike Storage Space
Nov
If you own a bike, then you know how difficult it can be to find the perfect place for them. You may have searched high and low for that one special spot where your bike will fit perfectly. Well, I am here to help you out! Read on for great tips on maximizing the storage space of your bicycle so that you don’t have to worry about them anymore.
It’s a difficult balance to get right! So it’s worth taking a good bit of time to consider our options. And the great thing is: these days, there are loads of bike storage ideas to consider. Floor stands, horizontal wall racks, vertical wall racks, ceiling racks, pulley systems, storage hooks, and free-standing bike racks. There are so many bike storage ideas, so let’s take a look at some of the best.
There are five main types of bike storage:
- Floor racks
- Vertical wall racks
- Horizontal wall racks
- Ceiling racks
- Free standing racks
And I’d urge you to read through them all because you might find something that works perfectly for your space that you never knew existed!
1. Bike Floor Racks
Bike floor racks provide the most basic kind of bike storage and they’re really only one step up from a kickstand! However, there are lots of reasons to like them.
Pros
- Nothing to install
- Easiest to move around
- Easiest to access
Cons
- Take up valuable floor space
- Not compatible with some bikes
- Not the most stable
Floor racks are a form of bike storage that’s generally best for families with children and bikes that are used daily. Also somewhere with plenty of room and where floor space isn’t an issue! They are probably the most basic storage solution in the list but still very effective.
2. Horizontal Bike Storage on the Wall
Horizontal bike racks are also known as wall mounted bike racks that allow you to store your bike parallel to the floor by hanging them along a wall. There are several advantages of this type of bike storage.
Pros
- Take up very little floor space
- Easy to get the first bike on
- Some require no installation
Cons
- Take up a lot of wall space
- More effort to get the second bike on
- Difficult for smaller kids to use
Unlike other racks, you can probably get the bike in the house and on the rack without touching the floor! They’re also the best bike storage option if you want to display your bike like a work of art.
3. Vertical Bike Storage on the Wall
Vertical bike storage allows you to lift your bike up (as if you were doing a wheelie) and then hang it from its front wheel so that the bike sticks out into the room.
Pros
- Take up little wall space
- Every bike is easy to add and remove
- Work with most wheel sizes
Cons
- Take up a lot of floor space
- Lots of lifting and maneuvering
- Difficult for smaller kids to use
A vertical wall mount bike rack takes up less wall room, so you can fit them on smaller wall spaces (or fit several bikes next to each other on larger wall spaces). They’re probably the most space-efficient way of storing larger numbers of bikes.
4. Storing Bikes on the Ceiling
Ceiling bike racks allow you to store your bikes above your head. Usually, they involve a pulley system that allows you to hoist your bike up by the handlebars and seat.
Pros
- Most space-efficient
- Usually, involve little physical effort
- Work with all bike and wheel sizes
Cons
- Takes most time to use
- Not suitable for kids
- Needs high ceilings
Ceiling racks have several advantages. Your bikes won’t take any floor or wall space at all, so they’re great in small areas. It won’t cost much physical effort to get your bike up there, and they’re usually compatible with lots of different types and sizes of bikes.
5. Free Standing Bicycle Storage Solutions
Free-standing bike racks don’t use walls for support. Usually, they work with horizontally hung bikes. And just like the other bike racks, there are several advantages with free-standing solutions.
Pros
- No walls needed!
- Easy to install
- Easy to move
Cons
- Won’t fit very high ceilings
- Higher bikes more difficult to add
- Kids may struggle
The most obvious is that they’re not dependent on a wall! So if you don’t have wall space, your walls are not strong enough to support a rack, or you just don’t want to mark or damage your walls, these are a great choice.
Like floor racks, they are easy to install and are just as easy to move to new spaces. However, just like horizontal wall racks, the upper bike may be difficult to hang and they’re tricky for the kids to use alone.
Indoors vs Outdoors Bike Storage
So which should you choose, indoor or outdoor storage? Well, it’s all about finding the balance between security and practicality that works for you.
Ideally, we wouldn’t want to keep bikes inside our homes. We only use them outside. They take up lots of room inside. They bring water and dirt into places we’re trying to keep dry and clean.
For example, I didn’t think it would be practical to store my bike inside. Until I had two successive bikes stolen from the back garden.
Suddenly I found a way to store the next one inside! I could have increased my outside security, but I found a workable balance inside instead.
Ultimately, wherever you choose to keep your bike, there are storage options that will make it practical and security measures that will keep it safe. It’s just a case of finding the right ones for you…
Conclusion
So there you have it, those are our 5 ways to help maximize your bike storage space. We hope you found our tips helpful and advice helpful, we wish you good luck on choosing the right bike storage for you and your needs. Whichever you choose we’re sure you’ll love all of the new room and space that you’re going to save!